The second day produced anything but vintage snooker, with both players committing elementary errors at the most unlikely moments.

For Carter, clearly the pressure of what he had achieved so far and the fact he was up against a player whom Stephen Hendry had described as the best in the world by a country mile after losing 17-6 to him in the semi-finals had played a role in his low-key performance.

O'Sullivan, meanwhile, gave the impression that the final was his for the taking from the word go. The fact that he had not wrapped things up with a session to spare and without the need for any play last night only showed that when he does go off the boil, mistakes can come fast.

Some pots the Rocket failed to negotiate were making a mockery of a world final, but with Carter devoid of confidence, O'Sullivan was in no danger at all of losing.

O'Sullivan went into the final session needing to win only two of the remaining 11 frames to secure the title after triumphing 5-3 in the afternoon. A break of 69 in frame 25 left Carter needing snookers and took O'Sullivan to the verge of the finishing line.

It was all over in the next frame after Carter missed a blue into the middle pocket and let in O'Sullivan to seal victory.

O'Sullivan has now topped the prize money list for the fifth season running in earning £638,350 from nine tournaments - including the £250,000 prize for this title.

He also claimed half a share of the maximum break prize of £157,000 - shared with Carter, who also earned £125,000 for reaching his first ranking final.